Urban Artworks selected for project involving Kids and Neighbors for installation along Denny Way

SEATTLE – In an effort to have the community involved at each phase of the upcoming substation project, Seattle City Light has tapped Urban ArtWorks to create a mural for the temporary fence along 1250 Denny Way. The substation, first to be built by the utility in 30 years, will undergo site cleanup work through October 2013. The mural is set to be installed in early January.

It is Urban ArtWorks’ mission to empower young people and restore communities through the creation of indoor and outdoor art displays, enhancing positive life skills, increasing community attachment and beautifying neighborhoods. Under the supervision of professional artist mentors, youth are engaged in painting wall murals and mural panels. The organization serves youth from a variety of backgrounds including those struggling as high-school dropouts, immigrants and those from low income and foster families. Their goal is to positively affect young lives while providing quality training, job skills and creative opportunities.

“City Light is very supportive of the work being done by Urban ArtWorks in the community. We are pleased to have their creative talents involved in our substation work. Our goal with this mural is to create an attractive work site for the neighborhood,” said City Light Superintendent Jorge Carrasco.

“We are thrilled to work with City Light, our youth participants and the nearby residents who have volunteered to help on this project. The mural will have colorful references to the past with a nod to the future, enhancing the construction site,” said Urban ArtWorks Executive Director Stephanie Tschida.

The future Denny Substation will help serve the growing needs of the South Lake Union, Uptown, First Hill and Denny Triangle neighborhoods while alleviating system congestion from other substations in the vicinity. The second phase of the environmental remediation (cleanup) is scheduled to begin in April 2013, with the substation scheduled to come on-line in 2016.

Seattle City Light is the 10th largest public electric utility in the United States. It has some of the lowest cost customer rates of any urban utility, providing reliable, renewable and environmentally responsible power to nearly 1 million Seattle area residents. City Light has been greenhouse gas neutral since 2005, the first electric utility in the nation to achieve that distinction.